The defence minister should not cite expenses to dodge testifying at the Scorpene submarine inquiry in Paris, says human rights watchdog Suaram, which filed the case in 2010

Secretariat member Cynthia Gabriel (right) said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s priority should be accountability and transparency, as Malaysian taxpayers are deprived of this when it comes to military spending.

“Commitment to the truth should be the minister’s first and foremost reason to testify in this case, not money,” Gabriel told Malaysiakini.

“Besides, he has reneged on his words. Earlier, he said he was willing to testify, but he has changed his mind now. We would like to know what happened to make him sing a different tune.”

The travel expenses would at most be about RM10,000 per night, she said, made up of:

RM5,500 for the return flight, but not on Malaysia Airlines;

RM600 per night for accommodation; and

RM200 for food in a restaurant

Asked if Suaram would pay the expenses, Gabriel said “we are encouraged to learn that Malaysians are willing to raise funds for this case”.

French submarine builder DCNS is alleged to have paid illegal commissions to Malaysian officials in the RM7.3 billion purchase of two Scorpene class submarines.

Yesterday, Ahmad Zahid (left) had said that no official or representative of the Defence Ministry will fly to Paris to attend the inquiry.

Bernama had quoted Ahmad Zahid as saying: “Who will pay for … air tickets, food and hotel accommodation in France?”

However, he said the Malaysian ambassador and military attache in Paris will closely monitor the case.

He added that both he and premier Najib Abdul Razak – who was defence minister at the time of the purchase – are not obliged to comply with orders of the French court, unless a subpoena comes from a Malaysian court.

Najib had snubbed questions when asked if he would testify, saying “I don’t need to comment…I don’t want to comment, thank you”.

‘Something to hide?’

Gabriel said Suaram is “very disappointed” that Najib did not respond properly to the question, while in Penang on Sunday.

“To say he does not need or want to comment shows that he has something to hide,” she claimed.

“We reiterate the hope that the Malaysian government will give us its fullest cooperation in this case.

“To know the truth about whether there had been corruption and to seek justice for the death of a Mongolian national on our soil is the right of every Malaysian taxpayer.”